Republican U. S.
Representative Tom Kean Jr. returned to Capitol Hill on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, following an unexplained four-month absence that had drawn scrutiny from both parties.
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The New Jersey congressman arrived shortly before 10 a. m.
to resume legislative duties and address his prolonged absence.
Campaign spokesperson Harrison Neely told CNN on Monday that the lawmaker would speak to his constituents about the situation.
Kean, 57, had been absent from Washington since early March, missing hundreds of congressional votes during a period when Republicans held a narrow House majority.
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House Speaker Mike Johnson confirmed he spoke with the congressman prior to his return. Johnson noted that Kean's health condition is a common one that voters would understand.
"If it were me, I would have been more specific about that, and I encouraged him to be," Johnson said.
"He will today, but it will be understandable to you.
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It's not an uncommon kind of condition and ailment that he's been fighting, and I think people resonate with it."
Kean had previously posted on social media in late April that he was addressing a personal medical issue under a doctor's care.
He is expected to outline specific details of his medical leave during an upcoming floor speech.
The extended absence had caused concern among Republican leadership staff and campaign strategists about the competitive swing seat.
Kean ran unopposed in the June primary and his office confirmed plans for reelection in November.
Democratic leaders had repeatedly called for clarity about the lawmaker's ability to serve.
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House Democratic campaign chief Suzan Delbene told The New Jersey Globe, "Clearly, I wish him the best, but it is his job also to be transparent with his community and there has been no clarity about why he has been gone so long."
